Which year Evo to buy?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo MN
Which year Evo to buy?
Hi Guys
I finally am ready to get the bike Ive been wanting.
But want to be sure about a few things first.
Ive done the searches...read "The Sweet Years" article...but there seems to be more info out there I cant find.
Im thinking the years 1995 - 2000....under 25,000 miles. Wide Glide or Softail...not sure yet.
Ive heard about gear driven cams....base gaskets...but which years....questions like that.
I appreciate it...and hopefully will be back here with a new old ride. Moneys burning a hole in my pocket!
Thanks
Later
I finally am ready to get the bike Ive been wanting.
But want to be sure about a few things first.
Ive done the searches...read "The Sweet Years" article...but there seems to be more info out there I cant find.
Im thinking the years 1995 - 2000....under 25,000 miles. Wide Glide or Softail...not sure yet.
Ive heard about gear driven cams....base gaskets...but which years....questions like that.
I appreciate it...and hopefully will be back here with a new old ride. Moneys burning a hole in my pocket!
Thanks
Later
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Hi Guys
I finally am ready to get the bike Ive been wanting.
But want to be sure about a few things first.
Ive done the searches...read "The Sweet Years" article...but there seems to be more info out there I cant find.
Im thinking the years 1995 - 2000....under 25,000 miles. Wide Glide or Softail...not sure yet.
Ive heard about gear driven cams....base gaskets...but which years....questions like that.
I appreciate it...and hopefully will be back here with a new old ride. Moneys burning a hole in my pocket!
Thanks
Later
I finally am ready to get the bike Ive been wanting.
But want to be sure about a few things first.
Ive done the searches...read "The Sweet Years" article...but there seems to be more info out there I cant find.
Im thinking the years 1995 - 2000....under 25,000 miles. Wide Glide or Softail...not sure yet.
Ive heard about gear driven cams....base gaskets...but which years....questions like that.
I appreciate it...and hopefully will be back here with a new old ride. Moneys burning a hole in my pocket!
Thanks
Later
There were many upgrades done in 1990 and in '96 they put more electronics on them.
I prefer a more mechanical bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Agree. There is a major change on deckers also in '93 I believe: the oil tank went under the tranny.
I have a 1997 Electra Glide and a 1999 Softail. Both are EVO's and run great and are easy to maintain yourself if that's what you're into.
I have heard of EVO engines having issues regarding shitty cam bearings from the factory so if ever you have the motor out that would be the first thing I would change.
Other than that I like them.
Oh... one other thing my '97 Electra glide Ultra Classic (700+ lbs) and my '99 Softail (500+ lbs) have relatively the same engine. Both completely stock except for air cleaner and exhaust. I think the MoCo should have thought that one through a little bit. The Softail SEEMS like it has twice the power of the Ultra. When in reality they are probably pretty close in performance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
Seems like the later yeared Evo's had the bugs worked out but they ALL will need some sort of maintanace work done, no guarantee's of base gaskets not leaking unless they are replaced, inner cam bearing and lifters need to know history for peace of mind.
Any year Evo can be a great bike, prefered model needs some thought and riding style of the purchaser calculated into the choice. A Evo evolves into a extension of the owner, over time and if the right bike, it becomes personal. Don't impulse buy, ask what has been done to the engine as stock is great and you will know what needs done to it, alot of work done to a engine can be good and bad - get detailed info and beware of high compression engines if your mechanical skills are at base level.
Summing up the garble, get the best mechanical bike you can but work will still need done and apply your personality to the bike you want with some homework, The Evo section can't supply which bike model hits home and touches your soul, you will see what we are talking about when you find the right bike my friend.
Any year Evo can be a great bike, prefered model needs some thought and riding style of the purchaser calculated into the choice. A Evo evolves into a extension of the owner, over time and if the right bike, it becomes personal. Don't impulse buy, ask what has been done to the engine as stock is great and you will know what needs done to it, alot of work done to a engine can be good and bad - get detailed info and beware of high compression engines if your mechanical skills are at base level.
Summing up the garble, get the best mechanical bike you can but work will still need done and apply your personality to the bike you want with some homework, The Evo section can't supply which bike model hits home and touches your soul, you will see what we are talking about when you find the right bike my friend.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Most eves by this point would have their cam changed anyways and the bearing along with it. Then there's no need to worry about that, unless the owner doesn't know, then the only way to tell, is to remove the cone...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 6
From: Ottawa, ON
Baggers and softails feel different because even though the engine and the tranny are identical, the primary and final ratios are different (that could be easily adjusted according to the taste).
Really? I will have to research that. Thanks.